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How To Go From Hobby To Hustle To Thriving Niche Business

Being an amateur photography I always love talking to professionals and learning how they mastered their craft…

In today’s episode of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast, I was able to learn how John A DeMato took mastery to a new level by pursuing his passion for portraits and turning it into an amazing niche business.

More than just a guy who pushes a button for a living, I set my clients up for success beyond the portrait session by educating them on how to best leverage their image content for their websites, social channels, bios, publications, advertisements and various other needs – you know, the fancy stuff, 🙂

As a former television producer, I have over 17 years of production experience, and have been featured as a lifestyle photography expert on several NBC Universal daytime talk and reality shows.

What you will learn in this episode of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast:

Happy New Year Listeners!

First and foremost, thank you to my fans for your patience. I have heard from a lot of you asking if the show was continuing, and what was going on.

The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast is definitely continuing, and we have some big changes coming to the format of the show in 2018 to bring you more value.

We will continue to share stories about how ordinary people followed their passion to build extraordinary lives. We are going to be doing as many as we can through Facebook Live so that you can join us during the conversation, and interact and get your questions answered.

To engage in these sessions, make sure you have Liked and Subscribed on Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here). You will get alerts when we go live, as well as event notifications in advance of our bigger shows.

What’s New To The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast in 2018?

As part of my mission to help 1,000 Entrepreneurs build a $1.0 Million Business by January 4th, 2023, I am going to be launching a new segment to the show called “The Happy Hour”, where I work with aspiring entrepreneurs to solve business challenges that are holding them back.

Topics will include everything from finding and validating your business idea, finding your first customer, and scaling your business to sustain the life you want to live.

The “Happy Hours” are open to all of my fans. If you are interested in joining me or know someone who has a great business idea, follow this link here: Apply Now

For those of you who aren’t ready to be a guest, but still want the help. I am going to be re-launching The Action Academy, which is an online membership community focused on helping you to take action and begin to build the life you want to be living. If you want to join the wait list for those announcements, you can do that here: Save My Seat (There’s no-charge for the first 100 members).

Why Did The Show Take A Break?

I lost my voice for most of November and October as a result of Pneumonia and Back to Back Colds. As a podcaster, that becomes essential. I was able to use this time to refocus the direction of the show and make sure I was continuing to bring the same level of value to my listeners and fans.

As frustrating as the downtime was, it was a much-needed break that I think my body forced me to take.

I appreciate your patience and understanding while I bounced back and can’t wait for 2018.

The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast – Episode #101 with Garrett Gunderson, Founder of The Wealth Factory

There are two things that people are terrified to talk about…

Sex and Money!

Today, we are going to dive into that latter of the two and in a way that completely blew my Minda.

Garrett Gunderson is Founder and Chief Wealth Architect of Wealth Factory, and New York Times bestselling author of Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths That Are Destroying Your Prosperity. And he’s personally helped countless business owners create efficient wealth strategies that fit their unique strengths (learn more here)

I’ve been trying to learn more about money for the last couple of years. When I first started, most of it sounded like a foreign language, but after reading over a dozen books, I felt pretty educated…well until this interview!

In today’s interview Garrett breaks down how wealth is really created, how to keep it, and the lies we are sold on the make others rich!

Even more impressive is their companies mission:

Wealth Factory’s mission is to manufacture economic independence for 1 million entrepreneurs by 2020.

In today’s episode of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast, you will learn:

A little over two years ago when I started The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast, if you told me that I would have been filming the 100th Episode LIVE in Los Angeles on the set of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, who the very guest that inspired me to pursue this journey, I wouldn’t have believed it!

When I launched this podcast, it was at one of the most challenging times of my life…

I was adjusting to life as a new dad (my daughter was only five months old), I was commuting almost 2 hours to work every day, and I had no clue who I was going to have as a guest, or even what I was going to talk about.

I knew one simple thing – I had to start! I had to take action and learn with every interview.

That simple practice of “taking action” became the mantra for the show – “find your passion, take action, and build the life of your dreams.”

By making the simple choice to take action and start The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast; I have had the opportunity to interview over 100 amazing entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and industry titans.

The journey has now culminated with the opportunity to interview Tom Bilyeu, Co-founder of Quest Nutrition and Impact Theory.

I’m a relentless agent for change, here to see how far I can push my own potential and the potential of others. I used to think I was Morpheus or Neo, now I know I’m the White Rabbit. My job is to simply show you how deep the rabbit hole really goes. The rest will be up to you. I’ll consider mine a life well lived if we can pull people out of the Matrix by positively impacting the direction of the culture at large. I believe that’s done through two things: 1. The creation of, financing for and mentoring of mission-based businesses and entrepreneurs and 2. The creation of media properties of all types that tell empowering stories. (more here)

In our interview, Tom goes deep into how to find your passion and build your life by providing value.

The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast – Episode #99

100+ stories about people who have followed their passion to build a business, a better life, or to simply give back!

When I started this journey, I had no clue where it was going. What became inherently clear quickly after I started – was just the simple fact that we NEED TO START.

Here are three of the most common lessons I have learned from all of the great guests.

Just Start

I remember putting off starting the podcast for months! I had so many excuses – I don’t have the right equipment, I need to build a studio, I don’t even know how to get it on iTunes and the most common of all, which everyone seems to use: I don’t have time.

The honest truth, I had too much self-doubt hiding in the background that I didn’t want to start.

Fortunately, I was able to muster enough courage to do it, and I haven’t looked back. It has opened so many doors, and unique opportunities.

The biggest result from starting has been the growth. I have met so many people doing incredible things that it has pushed me to expand my own personal limits.

There is no secret sauce to success, you just need to start!

As cliche as it sounds, you can’t finish a marathon without taking the first step.

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

One of the most common themes I hear from a guest of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast has been their agreement that you MUST get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

That discomfort means you are growing. It is just like working out.

After a good workout, you like feel some pain, maybe some fatigue. After a few weeks of doing it consistently, you feel and look amazing.

The same thing is true on the mental side of your life, yet very few of us are willing to push those boundaries.

When I first launched my podcast and listened to an episode I was horrified. I couldn’t believe how my voice sounded, and how much I stuttered. Now, after 100+ interviews, it comes a lot more natural.

What was even more surprising, was how my interviewing techniques improved and helped in other aspects of my life and business.

If you want to grow personally or professionally, you need to seek out those things that make you uncomfortable and face them head on!

Believe In Yourself

Finally, the single most important lesson I learned from my guests, and it is a hard one for most to accept – you must believe in yourself!

Everyone has a skill or talent that the world values. No matter how small, or insignificant you think that might be – TRUST ME – there is a way to share that value with the world and build a profitable business.

Just this week I met an inspiring entrepreneur who is making an amazing business selling bacon as a gift product – yes, he’s making bacon selling bacon. What was impressive about his business, is he found a way to help local meat shops reach new customers by sharing his passion for quality meats.

There’s a powerful quote that I constantly draw inspiration from;

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. – Marrianne Williamson

The moment when you begin to believe in yourself is when you will begin to unlock your true potential.

The day before something is truly a breakthrough, it’s a crazy idea. – Dr. Peter Diamandis

It has been a true honor to have the privilege of sharing so many great entrepreneurial and philanthropic stories. I look forward to the next 100.

Please be sure to tune in to LIVE Episode 100 at Facebook.com/douglasjfoley on Sept 21 at 10:00am PST/ 1:00PM EST (or catch the replay at douglasjfoley.com/100).

Starring a 10-year high school reunion in the face, Keith F. Shovlin, knew he had a few things he wanted to check off his list and becoming an author was on it!

He had a book idea, but no luck finding a publisher.

Instead of throwing in the towel, he decided to publish the book himself, and in taking action realized that he wasn’t the only one struggling to find a publisher.

That lead to the creating of AOIS, which has now evolved into AOIS Media.

aois21 media is a cloud-based publishing and production service for creators and consumers everywhere, providing a marketing infrastructure to support self-publishers, the tools and guidance to new authors and performers starting out, and titles and programs that span all genres and generations.

What you will learn in this episode of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast:

If you’ve struggled with finding a deeper, healthier, and happier connection to your body, food, and lifestyle, the Invisible Fitness Formula is the answer. Recent research in mind –body medicine indicates that if we are truly going to heal the obesity epidemic that has tripled in the past fifty years, a holistic, mindful approach is key (click here to buy it on Amazon).

JJ Flizanes is an Empowerment Strategist and Host of The Fit 2 Love Podcast Show. She is the Director of Invisible Fitness, an Amazon best-selling author of Fit 2 Love: How to Get Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually Fit to Attract the Love of Your Life, and author of Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core, and was named Best Personal Trainer in Los Angeles by Elite Traveler Magazine. Her newest book, The Invisible Fitness Formula: 5 Secrets to Release Weight & End Body Shame debuted at #2 on Amazon’s Best Seller List and New Hot Release for Women’s Health. JJ vividly reminds us that the word ‘fitness’ is not just about the state of one’s physical body, but also the factors which determine a person’s overall well being. And, for JJ, the key components in all these areas are ‘invisible’ — balanced support structures of nutrition, emotional centeredness and health. A video expert for About.com and regular contributor for The Daily Love, JJ has been featured in many national magazines such as Shape, Fitness, Muscle and Fitness HERS, Elegant Bride, and Women’s Health as well as appeared on NBC, CBS, Fox 11 and KTLA. For her clients & followers, JJ designs customized coaching programs and unique, versatile approaches that harmonize the emotional, the mental and the spiritual (http://jjflizanes.com/about/)

In This Episode of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast, JJ Flizanes shares the following:

How to listen to your inner voice

The importance of finding clarity within yourself

Why you need to disconnect

How she overcame body shame issues and built an “anti-diet” movement

The surfer doesn’t creat the wave – Be more like the surfer, catch it, and ride it.

From Stay-at-home mom to 7-figure entrepreneur.

I knew when I read Vanessa’s Bio, that the interview was going to align with the goal of the show to help people reach their full potential.

What I was not expecting, is how real, genuine and valuable the advice would be that followed.

After a few years as an active stay-at-home Mom, the burning desire for entrepreneurship peaked and Vanessa Shaw started a wellness benefit with 6 clients at $50/hour. As fast as the business win came, she lost the initial clients. Having to start over, she took that lesson and increased her fees. Within two years she had built a

Within two years she had built a 6-figure business after landing a large law firm. For the next 3 years, she enjoyed the success, but at the sacrifice of her happiness. Around the 5 year mark, she lost that client and nearly went bankrupt.

It was in that struggle, she rebuilt quickly only to take one of the biggest leaps of faith…

Vanessa sold their home, left Europe, and started completely from scratch in California, all while her husband continued to work overseas for 2 more years.

Most people, even those close to her, said it was insane, but her dedication, commitment, and drive have led to rebuilding a nearly 7-figure business.

What you will learn in this episode of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast:

Entrepreneurship is NOT right for everyone (learn who should be, and who shouldn’t)

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The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast – Episode #92 with Molly Claire

Believe you can and you will

Mindset and personal awareness are two of the most powerful things you can master to become successful. In this weeks episode of The Happiness of Pursuit Podcast, Molly Claire, from Molly Claire Coaching, shares how to transform your mindset to unlocking your potential by believing in yourself.